National Geographic Slingshot Challenge 2025 (Up to $10,000 in funding)

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The Slingshot Challenge, supported by the National Geographic Society and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, is calling on young changemakers worldwide to share their bold ideas for protecting the planet. If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, this is your opportunity to make a difference! By submitting a 1-minute video showcasing your solution to an environmental challenge, you could win up to $10,000 in funding to bring your idea to life.

They believe that small steps can lead to big changes. Your ideas and actions, combined with those of other passionate young leaders, can protect our planet and improve our collective future. Whether it’s reducing waste, restoring the ocean, protecting nature, cleaning the air, or addressing climate change, the Slingshot Challenge is your platform to take action and inspire others.

If you registered for last year’s challenge but didn’t submit a video, you can resubmit your video this year—so don’t miss this opportunity! Join the challenge

Slingshot Challenge Benefits

By entering the Slingshot Challenge, you have the chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding to turn your idea into reality. This funding can be used to support your project, further your research, or expand your initiative.

Get selected for the following awards:

Slingshot Challenge Top Honors Award: Awarded to 5 entries (teams) from around the globe, as determined by the selection panel. Award recipients will receive funding of $10,000 to support them in slingshotting their solutions and our planet forward.
National Geographic Explorer Connection Award: For the video that draws the best connection to the work of a National Geographic Explorer.
People’s Choice Award: The People’s Choice Award will be given to the video that receives the highest number of votes during the voting period.
Slingshot Challenge Significant Achievement Award: Awarded to 10 entries (teams) from around the globe, as determined by the selection panel. Award recipients will receive funding of $1,000 to support them in slingshotting their solutions and our planet forward.
Slingshot Challenge Honorable Mention Award: Entries selected to feature in the awardee showcase to spotlight their solutions and amplify their voices as agents of change.

Video Topics: Choose Your Focus

Your submission should address an environmental challenge in your community related to one or more of the following areas:

Addressing climate change
Reducing waste
Protecting nature
Cleaning the air
Restoring the ocean

How to Apply for the Slingshot Challenge

Register
- Start by signing up at VideosforChange.org. If you’re under 18 years old, you’ll need to provide a parent or guardian’s email for consent.
Get Inspired
- Visit Videos For Change to explore example submissions and download the official challenge toolkits. These resources will help you understand what makes a great video and guide you through the storytelling process.
Develop Your Idea

Start brainstorming potential solutions to an environmental problem in your community. You can also:

Attend a workshop to refine your idea and connect with like-minded peers.
Research past winners and National Geographic Explorers to learn how they turned ideas into action.
Use the challenge resources to develop a clear and impactful message for your video.

Create Your 1-Minute Video

Your video should highlight an environmental problem and present a clear, actionable solution. Keep these requirements in mind:

Videos must focus on a social issue and inspire positive change, with a clear call to action.
Videos must be no longer than one minute, and no larger than 200 Mb.
Video entries can be created by one person, or in teams of up to six members.
All video content must be your own original work. Care must be taken with any other material to ensure you have copyright approval and that it follows the Videos for Change community guidelines.
Videos must be in English or Spanish.

Submit Your Video
- Upload your video at VideosforChange.org by Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST for a chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding.

Click Here to Apply

Application Deadline: February 7, 2025